John Netterville, 2nd Viscount Netterville (c.1603-1659) was an Irish peer, soldier and statesman of the seventeenth century. He was noted for his devout Roman Catholic beliefs and his strong support for the Irish Catholic political cause; this led him during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and the ensuing Civil Wars to play a double game, offering support to both the Crown and the rebels, with the result that no party to the conflict fully trusted him. He was charged with treason by the Government of Charles I and his estates were forfeited by Oliver Cromwell. He died in his English exile of natural causes.
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Background and early career
He was born at Dowth in Meath, eldest son of Nicholas Netterville, 1st Viscount Netterville and his first wife Eleanor Bathe, daughter of Sir John Bathe of Drumcondra, Dublin. His father was a favourite of James I who ennobled him in 1622 "in consideration of his good qualities". In time Nicholas like his son was to be accused of disloyalty to the English Crown. In both cases, their real aim seems to have been to restore the Roman Catholic faith (two of Nicholas' younger sons were Jesuits).
In 1623 John married Lady Elizabeth Weston, daughter of Richard Weston, 1st Earl of Portland, the future Lord Treasurer, and his first wife Elizabeth Pinchion. The marriage gave him influence at the English Court and a useful ally in promoting toleration of Catholics, since Portland himself was a convert to the Catholic faith.